“Enough about my health. I’m not senile or blind. You should have told me the company is in trouble. Serious trouble.”
She glanced over her shoulder at Cord. “I can’t talk about this now—”
“Don’t put me off. I won’t stand for it. We’re going to have this out. You’re still my daughter—my employee—you owe me answers.”
Cord shot her an inquisitive look. She couldn’t plead and cajole her father to calm down in front of Cord. And there was no way she could continue this romantic mid-morning tryst and leave her father to stew over the company’s situation. Disappointment cut sharply through her. Her special time with Cord was over.
“Father, let me call you back in,” she glanced up at the wall clock, “forty-five minutes.”
“I’m coming out there.” His voice brooked no room for argument. “If you aren’t going to close this deal and put this company back on firm financial ground, I will.”
“Just give me a few minutes to get back to my room. You don’t need to fly off the handle. I’m negotiating with Mr. Lawson, and I’ve got the real estate agent inquiring about the property in Arizona. See? I am handling things—”
“I’ve seen how you handle things—with kid gloves where that cowboy is concerned. Now it’s time for some serious negotiating. And since you aren’t up to the task, I’ll do it.”
“Father, would you calm down?”
“Why should I? My daughter—my own flesh and blood—has been lying to me.”
“And I would again if that’s what it took to keep you safe.”
“But you have no right—”
“I have every right. The doctors warned that the stress is too much for you, and you’re proving them right.”
“I…I am fine.” His voice didn’t sound fine. He sounded worn-out. “I just can’t believe you’d turn against me.”
“I love you. And I want what’s best for you.”
She couldn’t bear to think of losing him.
“And you think having me step away from HSG is for the best.”
“I do.” Her voice was calm and assertive. “Remember my horse—the one you got rid of because you couldn’t bear to see me hurt or worse?—well, I guess I learned this protectiveness from you. And I’d do it all again if that’s what it takes to keep you alive and well. Father, I love you.”
“I love you, too.”
“Let me call you back, and then we’ll talk this out.”
Her heart sank. Her romantic moment with Cord had come to a screeching halt. She wanted this time with him—a moment to love him before the world came crashing in on them. But it was too late.
???
What was he thinking to come here?
Cord sat behind the steering wheel of his idling pickup as the citizens of Whistle Stop made their way to the historic dance hall now used as a community center. He’d occasionally attended these monthly meetings, but that was a long ways back—before his ex-wife.
His fingers tightened on the steering wheel. This was his town, too. And if they were going to discuss his land, he deserved to be there. Let them gawk at him and talk behind his back. He was used to it by now. After all, he had promised Lexi that he’d be here—he always kept his word.
He tried to remember how she’d gotten him to agree to this, and then he recalled how he’d found her in his kitchen in nothing but his shirt. He’d have agreed to almost anything in that moment. And they’d been just about to repeat their mind-blowing night of lovemaking when her father had interrupted. Cord hadn’t been able to make out the exact words the man had said, but the tone of his voice hadn’t been friendly. And Cord had noticed how the color had faded from her face.
His sympathy went out to Lexi. Cord was certain her father wasn’t happy that she hadn’t secured the land, but that wasn’t her fault. As far as Cord was concerned, she’d gone above and beyond what was expected of her. And when he’d overheard that she was pursuing another property for her resort, he couldn’t help but think that she was doing that for him. She really did care. But Cord never had a chance to discuss any of what he’d overheard, as Lexi had made a mad dash to make herself presentable and rushed out the door.
By now, the whole of Whistle Stop must know she hadn’t spent the night in her motel room. He was certain that he and Lexi had provided the town with the juiciest bit of gossip to make the rounds in ages. Two adversaries hammering out a deal between the sheets. Cord’s teeth ground together. Yet another reason for him to turn around and head back to the Brazen H.
And let Lexi face them all on her own—no way. He’d never let her face the town gossips alone. She deserved better than that, especially after she’d dismissed what she’d heard about him and given him a chance to prove himself.
It wasn’t until he pried his fingers from the steering wheel that he realized how tight he’d been holding it. He leveled his shoulders, took a deep breath and switched off the engine. He was amazed as more and more residents showed up. This had to be right up there with the meeting about the mayoral election when some newcomer decided to run against their long-standing Mayor Ortiz—the town had been all abuzz.